Month: April 2023

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31, 2:4-9, 2:15

This Sunday we will be blessed with the words of guest preacher Cedric Lundy.  A native of Ann Arbor, MI, Cedric Lundy moved to Charlotte NC in the summer of 2004 after earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Youth Ministry and Biblical Studies from Spring Arbor University. Husband to wife Emma since 2007 they are parents to daughter Isla. Cedric spent thirteen years in local church pastoral ministry predominantly as a Middle School Student Ministry Pastor, but also as a Campus Pastor and Pastor of Justice & Teams. Cedric’s burden in ministry and influence expanded beyond just youth. He regularly facilitated seminars for parents, preaches at local churches, and co-hosts a podcast.

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Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16 (NIV)

Dear Church,

Have you ever wondered how you were going to get through something?  Has anything in your life seemed so painful or overwhelming that you can’t begin to see a positive outcome or any outcome at all?  Without knowing your problem let me offer you an answer.  We will get through it together.  We you may ask, we who?  We, the body of Christ.  We, your brothers and sisters who are charged to bear one another’s burdens.  We who will celebrate the wins you experience and mourn the losses that come your way.   This is what comes with being in community with one another, we are never alone.  This Sunday we will read from the epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians and explore how we are equipped to support one another as a community.     

Peace,

Nicole Thompson

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Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

This week the Grove was pulsing with life, tiny feet kicking the back of pews, little hands struggling to squeeze out exactly the right amount of glue, big people taking deep breaths trying to remain present to the joy and promise bursting forth out of the chaos.  The day after Easter, you created an oasis of welcome and creativity and wonder and hope and lively peace for children and their families. 

Because the truth is–there is no day after Easter.  When Christ rose from the grave, he renewed creation–as it was in the beginning, as it ever shall be, the good news of resurrection is that it is that way now, with Christ.  The kingdom of God is in the midst of us–and signs of new life, the Kingdom of God, are all around us.   They may not always be visible or impressive to those who are not seeking the Kingdom, but for those whose minds have been renewed in Christ, there is more than enough to celebrate.

Peace,

Pastor Kate

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Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Dear Church,

It is not only good, but also necessary that we celebrate the resurrection on Sunday. The rocks would cry out if we didn’t.  But don’t come for the celebration–come to receive what we are celebrating.  Because if Easter doesn’t change everything, it really doesn’t matter at all.

All the color, all the sound and surprises, all the excitement, all the hallelujahs–they’re only the signs.  They’re only the celebration.  It’s the revelation of the empty tomb that changes everything, the entire cosmos, even & especially us. It’s not the celebration itself that matters, it’s what we’re celebrating.

It didn’t just happen to Jesus.  Paul says, ‘if anyone is in Christ–new creation!’

Come and see. 

Come and see what we’re made of now. 

Come and see what we’re made for now. 

Come and see. 

But don’t come for the show. 

Come for

Real.

New.

Life.

Peace,

Pastor Kate

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Scripture: Luke 19:28-42

Dear Church,

This Sunday is my favorite Sunday of the year.   (I know, I know, I say this a lot, but I always mean it.). It’s the first day of Holy Week.  Traditionally, churches will center their worship on the story of Jesus entering into Jerusalem for his final confrontation with the sacred, secular and spiritual powers & principalities of his day.   We call it Palm Sunday.

We shouldn’t.

The story of Jesus entering into Jerusalem is included in all four gospels, but only John mentions the palms.  And John is clear about who introduces them, ‘they took palm branches and went out to meet him.’  Jesus carefully orchestrated his entrance into the city.  But the palms weren’t his idea, they were the people’s choice.  We spend so much time focusing on the symbol that the crowd chose for Jesus, but we overlook the symbol that Jesus chose for himself: the donkey.  All four gospels carefully describe how Jesus sent his disciples to find a donkey and how he rode it into the city.  Jesus is showing us something about himself, but we keep looking away.

The palms represent our ideas of a savior, who we expect and desire Jesus to be.  The donkey is Jesus’ revelation to us of who he actually is–and who he is calling us to be.  If you don’t understand why Jesus rode a donkey, you don’t understand Jesus.  If the donkey isn’t one of the things you love about Jesus–then you may be loving and worshipping a Jesus-shaped idol.

You can’t get to the cross without the donkey.  I hope you’ll join us as we recommit ourselves to the astonishing, unexpected, life-giving way of our donkey-riding Savior.  

Peace,
Pastor Kate

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